Glastonbury, Connecticut, summer 2014 & 2015- Maestra (Ms. Murano) learning, growing, and having a great time with many skillful "maestra's" from around the country. Italian Association of Connecticut Annual Conference, Bristol Central High School, fall 2016- Italian teachers at end of day with take home posters of Italy.
Welcome to our new Wiki!
el 3 de septiembre de 2016
Estimados Padres,
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new “Wikispaces” website for all levels of Spanish students at Chapel Street & Wilcoxson School, Grade 2 through Grade 6. Wikispaces is a website used only for educators, levels Kindergarten through college. The incorporation of technology across all disciplines is critical to developing 21st century learning skills, and essential to preparing students for future studies in their second language. The newly designed website is optional or may be used for enrichment. It can be found at https://FLESSpanishStratford.wikispaces.com.
It is an exciting opportunity for me to be able to include, share, and use the very latest in educational technology with my students. I will use “FLESSpanishStratford” periodically in class as a teaching tool, but the primary goal of the Wiki is to create a learning community for my language students and extend the classroom to the home, including involving all families in our studies! In addition, the 4th grade literacy books are available for listening and pronunciation practice, as well as the 6th grade ¡Exprésate! (our textbook) website links that will allow for easy student access and practice that is aligned with class quizzes and tests.
I invite you to visit the “Wiki”, and encourage your son or daughter to review or practice the different themes we are studying in class as we move through the curriculum and academic year. Wikispaces is a safe educational site, but as with all technology parent supervision is recommended.
Welcome to our new “Wiki”☺!
Sinceramente,
Ms. Murano/Maestra
P.D. Our Wiki link is posted on the Chapel Street & Wilcoxson Elementary School websites, in the drop down bar “Departments & Staff”, then “Staff Biographies and Websites”, “maestra” Ms. Murano.
Newsletter Fall 2015/Winter 2015 / Chapel Street School /Wilcoxson School
American Association for Teachers of Foreign Language "Can Do Statements"
National Standards that define language proficiency in terms of "actionable" skills/abilities of students
Watch this "Zoophonics" video, and learn about our Kindergarten language program
Kindergarten Word Wall- Meet "Timeteo Tigre", Kindergarten friends practice the letter "T" and learn the "T" letter sound in Spanish. We learn all about "Timeteo"; discussion in Spanish includes where in the world he lives, his habitat, foods he likes, how he moves, and the sounds he likes to make!
ACTFL World Language 21st Century Skills- A Visual Introduction
The American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages
This short video will help you understand the 11 skill areas teachers consider and utilize when designing and planning lessons and units.
Learning a new language can have its challenges!
A Guide To Success In Spanish
Daily review and practice! Don’t wait until the day of a quiz or test! Review every day!
Flashcards! These are a great way to reinforce vocabulary and are easily carried everywhere. Review them when you have a few minutes each day. You can do it before dinner or bedtime, and even in the car as you’re going to after school activities!
Study buddy! Make sure you have the name and telephone number of a friend in the class. Call them for homework assignments when you are absent from class. Practice Spanish on the phone asking each other questions
Bring all of your materials to class! Text, workbook, notes, pencil! These are important tools for success!! This is a challenge when classes only meet every other day, but it is critical that you are prepared. Tape a note in your house where you will see it as you leave in the morning; mark your Spanish days on your calendar! Being prepared is crucial!!
Never be afraid to ask a question! This is a completely different language you are learning! If you have a question, chances are there are other students who have the same question. Raise your hand and ask!!!
Extra help! The world language teachers have provided an extra help schedule to help any student who is struggling. Please take advantage and use this time. It doesn’t have to be with your particular teacher! (schedule on back of sheet)
Share the Spanish language with your family and friends! Practice with older or younger brothers and sisters! Label things in your house! Tell your parents what you have learned! You may be surprised to hear what they remember!
Watch Spanish television, listen to Spanish radio stations, and view a DVD movie in Spanish for fun! Spanish is all around us, and you have wonderful opportunities to develop your listening skills!
How To Learn A Foreign Language vBe organizedYou will need a loose-leaf notebook for Spanish. You will keep class notes, homework, tests, and other materials in this notebook. Bring it to class every day. You may want to make flashcards to help you study your new vocabulary. vKeep up with your work on a daily basisLanguage, like math builds on previously learned material. Each lesson assumes that you have learned earlier lessons, and you will not be able to learn new material until you have established the base in more elementary structure. Learning a language requires daily work, lots of drill, and plenty of practice. This year we are aiming for greater fluency. vPay attention in class Be a part of class. Follow the discussion and exercises carefully, listen to others, be ready to respond when it is your turn. ASK QUESTIONS when you don’t understand. Remember that it really is my job to help you make sense out of this stuff so that if I have not explained something clearly to YOU, you have every right to ask me to go over material again. vPay attention to detailsForeign accents are full of little things like accents, spelling changes, and strange new combinations of letters. Do not fool yourself to think details are not important. THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!! (Just ask me how important!) vAccept the language on its own termsLanguages are very different from one another. Accept that difference, remembering to be “open-minded” and not, as Americans are stereotypically accused of being, ethnocentric. vListen and imitateUse the language you are learning. Listen to the teacher, the native speaker, and imitate. Put English sounds aside. vMemorizeYou can’t avoid it; its part of language learning. There are very specific ways to memorize, and we will discuss some of them in class. vStudy out loudNot shout out loud, but move your lips as you work on Spanish. Language is spoken first, and even people who can’t read can talk, so read out loud. The reinforcement is fantastic. It means that your mouth and ears will be providing your eyes/brain/memory with extra support. If the assignment is one that you have written and are correcting, your ears will pick up errors that your eyes have missed. This also keeps you awake when you begin to fade! vCorrect old papersKeep your old tests and homework papers. Correct the mistakes you made. It is very important to reinforce correct answers. vReviewNo matter how well you know something today, you will still need to review. This is one activity you can do with another person, as the two or three of you drill each other on material you have learned in class. vUse all your sensesIt is not enough to just look at your book. Copy parts of the lesson, outline the chapter, write notes in the margin, listen to others, and study aloud. vLearn from your assignmentLanguage often requires “busy work”, it’s the nature of the beast! However, don’t go through the motions of filling up the page just to say you “did your homework”. Open your book; the homework is supposed to support what was learned in class. Please…don’t tell me you didn’t understand your homework if you didn’t go back to the text and your class notes. vLet’s speak SpanishWhen we’re speaking, let’s forget about all the possible errors and work for understanding ourselves in another language.
Glastonbury, Connecticut, summer 2014 & 2015- Maestra (Ms. Murano) learning, growing, and having a great time with many skillful "maestra's" from around the country.
Italian Association of Connecticut Annual Conference, Bristol Central High School, fall 2016- Italian teachers at end of day with take home posters of Italy.
Welcome to our new Wiki!
el 3 de septiembre de 2016
Estimados Padres,
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new “Wikispaces” website for all levels of Spanish students at Chapel Street & Wilcoxson School, Grade 2 through Grade 6. Wikispaces is a website used only for educators, levels Kindergarten through college. The incorporation of technology across all disciplines is critical to developing 21st century learning skills, and essential to preparing students for future studies in their second language. The newly designed website is optional or may be used for enrichment. It can be found at https://FLESSpanishStratford.wikispaces.com.
It is an exciting opportunity for me to be able to include, share, and use the very latest in educational technology with my students. I will use “FLESSpanishStratford” periodically in class as a teaching tool, but the primary goal of the Wiki is to create a learning community for my language students and extend the classroom to the home, including involving all families in our studies! In addition, the 4th grade literacy books are available for listening and pronunciation practice, as well as the 6th grade ¡Exprésate! (our textbook) website links that will allow for easy student access and practice that is aligned with class quizzes and tests.
I invite you to visit the “Wiki”, and encourage your son or daughter to review or practice the different themes we are studying in class as we move through the curriculum and academic year. Wikispaces is a safe educational site, but as with all technology parent supervision is recommended.
Welcome to our new “Wiki”☺!
Sinceramente,
Ms. Murano/Maestra
P.D. Our Wiki link is posted on the Chapel Street & Wilcoxson Elementary School websites, in the drop down bar “Departments & Staff”, then “Staff Biographies and Websites”, “maestra” Ms. Murano.
Newsletter Fall 2015/Winter 2015 / Chapel Street School /Wilcoxson School
Parent letter Grade 6 Students- New textbook
American Association for Teachers of Foreign Language "Can Do Statements"
National Standards that define language proficiency in terms of "actionable" skills/abilities of students
"Can Do Statements" Stratford K-6
ACFTL FL CCSS Aligned Standards
Multicultural Week/Day is an SHL tradition that proudly began in 2012
Watch this "Zoophonics" video, and learn about our Kindergarten language program
Kindergarten Word Wall- Meet "Timeteo Tigre", Kindergarten friends practice the letter "T" and learn the "T" letter sound in Spanish. We learn all about "Timeteo"; discussion in Spanish includes where in the world he lives, his habitat, foods he likes, how he moves, and the sounds he likes to make!
PTA Presentation 2013
All grade K-6 units make connections to the "5 C's" of Foreign Language learning
Advocacy for Early Language Learning
Time Magazine Article- "The Bilingual Brain"
New York Times- Benefits of Bilingualism
The National Standards 5 C's For Foreign Language
ACTFL’s National Standards for World Language 199621st Century Skills/Recipe for Success
Communication
Cultures
Connections
Comparisons
Communities
Bloom's Taxonomy For Higher Thinking Skills
Bloom's Taxonomy Iowa State UniversityBloom's Taxonomy
Gardner's 8 Multiple Intelligences
(remember to develop all…not just one or two strengths- Gardner)1.) Verbal/Linguistic
2.) Logical/Mathematical
3.) Visual/Spatial
4.) Bodily/Kinesthetic
5.) Musical/Rhythmic
6.) Interpersonal
7.) Intrapersonal
8.) Naturalist
ACTFL World Language 21st Century Skills- A Visual Introduction
The American Council of the Teaching of Foreign LanguagesThis short video will help you understand the 11 skill areas teachers consider and utilize when designing and planning lessons and units.
Learning a new language can have its challenges!
A Guide To Success In Spanish
How To Learn A Foreign Language
vBe organizedYou will need a loose-leaf notebook for Spanish. You will keep class notes, homework, tests, and other materials in this notebook. Bring it to class every day. You may want to make flashcards to help you study your new vocabulary.
vKeep up with your work on a daily basisLanguage, like math builds on previously learned material. Each lesson assumes that you have learned earlier lessons, and you will not be able to learn new material until you have established the base in more elementary structure. Learning a language requires daily work, lots of drill, and plenty of practice. This year we are aiming for greater fluency.
vPay attention in class Be a part of class. Follow the discussion and exercises carefully, listen to others, be ready to respond when it is your turn. ASK QUESTIONS when you don’t understand. Remember that it really is my job to help you make sense out of this stuff so that if I have not explained something clearly to YOU, you have every right to ask me to go over material again.
vPay attention to detailsForeign accents are full of little things like accents, spelling changes, and strange new combinations of letters. Do not fool yourself to think details are not important. THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!! (Just ask me how important!)
vAccept the language on its own termsLanguages are very different from one another. Accept that difference, remembering to be “open-minded” and not, as Americans are stereotypically accused of being, ethnocentric.
vListen and imitateUse the language you are learning. Listen to the teacher, the native speaker, and imitate. Put English sounds aside.
vMemorizeYou can’t avoid it; its part of language learning. There are very specific ways to memorize, and we will discuss some of them in class.
vStudy out loudNot shout out loud, but move your lips as you work on Spanish. Language is spoken first, and even people who can’t read can talk, so read out loud. The reinforcement is fantastic. It means that your mouth and ears will be providing your eyes/brain/memory with extra support. If the assignment is one that you have written and are correcting, your ears will pick up errors that your eyes have missed. This also keeps you awake when you begin to fade!
vCorrect old papersKeep your old tests and homework papers. Correct the mistakes you made. It is very important to reinforce correct answers.
vReviewNo matter how well you know something today, you will still need to review. This is one activity you can do with another person, as the two or three of you drill each other on material you have learned in class.
vUse all your sensesIt is not enough to just look at your book. Copy parts of the lesson, outline the chapter, write notes in the margin, listen to others, and study aloud.
vLearn from your assignmentLanguage often requires “busy work”, it’s the nature of the beast! However, don’t go through the motions of filling up the page just to say you “did your homework”. Open your book; the homework is supposed to support what was learned in class. Please…don’t tell me you didn’t understand your homework if you didn’t go back to the text and your class notes.
vLet’s speak SpanishWhen we’re speaking, let’s forget about all the possible errors and work for understanding ourselves in another language.